Knowing You (Cursed 2)

"I'm going to speak to security, again, about their interior patrols. Maybe they'll post someone outside each entrance of the dorms on the Court-side."

"Good luck," I tell him, standing because I presume we're done.

"Call me if anything strange happens, or you find yourself in a predicament that won't look good on your record. No matter what time. No matter where you are. I'll come get you. And if I can, I'll keep it between us." He stands to walk me out. "I really am here to help you, Lana. You're my entire job."

"Sad, isn't it?" I say with a smirk.

"Get out," he says with a chuckle. "Don't do anything stupid."

My phone beeps on my way back to the dorm with a message from my chemistry teacher.

Chemistry tutor rescheduled for 7pm on Thursday.

This day just keeps sucking. But I guess rescheduling makes sense. We haven't had class since our test and there isn't any new material to cover. I was just really looking forward to seeing Grant, and maybe kissing him ... if he'd let me. Then again, he takes his responsibilities so seriously. He probably wouldn't. But his integrity and dedication are also what make me ... I hesitate. How exactly was I about to finish that sentence?

Respect him. Yup. That's what it does. I groan and want to smack my own head. Where's Ashton when I need her?

Come to my room.

A sticky note is stuck to my door. I assume it's from Ashton and not Brendan. When I enter her room, I'm shocked to find Lance and Brendan too.

"Did Ms. Seyer let you up?" I ask.

"We're part of the devastation crew," Lance explains with a cunning grin. He has his feet propped up on a hot pink, leather ottoman, lounging on the couch, playing a handheld video game.

"The what? You know what, forget it."

"Let's go," Ashton announces. "We're going to pick up your mess and move your things in here for when Serge arrives tomorrow."

"Who?"

"My designer. His team is coming to transform your room tomorrow."

Sometimes I forget that Ashton is super wealthy. Granted, she has that air of prestige emanating from her. Now that I consider it, it's more of a glamorous vibe, like wind should be blowing in her hair as flashbulbs go off every time she enters a room. Underneath all of that, she's pretty chill. She's not bitchy or snooty. Nor is she pretentious or superior. So when she talks about her designer and his team, it's like being splashed in the face with ice water--a not-so-subtle reminder that we come from completely different backgrounds, even if we currently find ourselves in the same place.

We spend the afternoon cleaning up my room. I would mourn the loss, except it never really felt like mine. It does piss me off that the psycho tore the head off of the adorable zebra Joey gave me and ripped up the pictures of my friends and family. It seems so ... senseless. What could I possibly have done to make someone hate me? Because that's what if feels like.

I haven't been here long enough to bring on this level of disdain. So it had to have followed me from home. Everyone I know at Blackwood, except for Ashton and Sophia, has some tie to my life; some even before I was born. And this includes Brendan and Mr. Garner. I can't believe I even have to consider Mr. Garner as a suspect. I can't believe I'm using the word suspect.

And if it isn't so

meone from Blackwood, as Brendan believes, then I am completely at a loss. I never met the others until I arrived. And unless I did something without knowing it to gain an enemy ... Well, that really is a possibility. My candor isn't always appreciated. But when I factor in all the messages, and now the picture ... I'm back to being utterly confused.

"I hate the mind games," I growl in frustration. "Just fricken tell me what you want!"

Everyone stops.

"But the melodrama is the best part," Brendan quips.

I chuck a throw pillow at him that has its guts hanging out.

"Want one?" Ashton asks, gummies in her hand. "Will make this more fun."

Lance takes one. Brendan shakes his head.

"I can't," I tell her regretfully. "I'm the official sobriety poster child."

"He must be an amazing kisser," Ashton muses like she envies me.